Edward Franklin Durfee

Edward Durfee, known to all as Ed or “Durf,” was born to Verna (Schuetz) and Lawrence Durfee, on April 18, 1947, in Dawson, Nebraska. Ed concluded his time with us at home on Thursday, October 6, 2022.  He was 75 years old.

Ed grew up in the Falls City and Fairbury areas.  He was the youngest of seven children and grew up the ornery baby.  Ed graduated from Fairbury High School in 1965.  On May 12, 1967, he married Gayle Riggins.  They had three daughters:  Gina Christine, Marni Jo, and Katie Marie. When his daughters married, he finally gained the sons he always wanted through his sons-in-law Guy O’Brien and Curt Parrack.

Ed and Gayle spent nearly their entire lives in Fairbury.  Probably their favorite time was when they owned “Durfee’s Place,” as they came to know, love, and adopt many friends and family.  During this time frame is when the “Durfee’s Softball Dynasty” began.  Ed continued on with this  dynasty for many years, coaching his own children, grandchildren, and their friends.  He gained many “adopted” children and friends through his passion for the game.  The ball fields were a fourth child and second home to him.

Ed was an imperfect and good human. At times in his life, he drank too much, smoked excessively, and ate lots of great food, but he also loved too hard, cared beyond measure, and gave more than he could or should. Ed’s life revolved around ball, family, and community. He lived his life on his terms and has left us many “Durf”-isms and memories to remember him by.

Ed was a fighter. If he saw someone being wronged, he tried to make it right. This was most clear in his fight for Katie and her rights. Ed and Gayle crusaded for her rights and the rights of others, not only in education, but everywhere. If someone was wrong, he would call them on it. He was open-minded and learned to grow as the times changed. After first being raised by, then raising strong women, he was a staunch supporter of women’s rights. He wanted what was best for everyone, not just those entitled to it. He always gave his opinion, whether you liked it or not.

In his final days, he confirmed the long-held suspicion that Katie was his favorite daughter. To that end, in lieu of flowers, Ed directed memorials toward a new mobility van for the family.

Ed is survived by his wife, Gayle (Riggins) Durfee, and his daughters Gina (Guy O’Brien) of Omaha, Marni Parrack (Curt) of Wilber, and Katie of Fairbury; grandchildren Kellen Parrack, Malcolm Durfee O’Brien, Maura Durfee O’Brien of Omaha, Maya Durfee O’Brien of Bismarck, IL, Addison and Jonah Parrack of Wilber; great-grandson Liam Parrack of Omaha; sisters Evelyn Georgi and Ruth Johnson of Fairbury, Shirley Fritz of Falls City, sister-in-law Andrea Durfee of Lincoln; and brother-in-law Alan Riggins (Pat) of Lincoln. Numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and more friends than we could ever mention.  He cherished all of his relationships with his people.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Verna Durfee; siblings Mae (Durfee) Sokol, Geri (Durfee) Nixon, and Lawrence (Larry) Durfee.

Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, October 11, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury. Service will be held on Wednesday, October 12, at 3:00 p.m. at the Durfee Cloverleaf Complex in Fairbury.  Dress for a ball game & bring a chair if you can. There will be a lunch following the services at the VFW in Fairbury.